The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-12-28

ua And from the fact that our Mllkman
saw Mr. Paul Blake with young lady who
exactly answers her description getting into
the Boston train at 6:45, incline to the
opinion that they have gone off to get mar
ried." ..,s.,s.,z.a >,--
Dr. Blake, who had himself well In hand,
made no audible comment on this surpris-
ing bit of news, which in reality was the
final blow to his vague hopes And Mrs.
Mack, tucking tiny, tear blotted note ad-
dressed to Dr. Paul Blake little further
down in her pocket, noted with inward sat-
isfaction that his appetite appeared in no
way impaired by what he had heard
I'VE will have. "a talk when come lin
from my calls, Mrs Mack, y he said, with his
usual courtesy; but the widow thought she
detected an undertone of warmth in his
speech, and her hopes ran higher than
ever. ~ sF5%
Bob was waiting the doctors appearance
in the Office with manifest impotence. 1t
was evident that he had neryed himself up
to the fulfillment Of some important duty,
regardless of consequences
Look here, RvcSor, be ssad IN cautious
undertone, the moment DR.. Blake had
closed the door behind him; there's things
that's got to be said, whether you think Pm
interferin' with what's none of my biz
ness or not Fust and foremost, you've let
Mis- Mack drive Miss Doris away from the
house -" -
Nothing of the sort, Bob, =. Sharply inter
rupted DR.. Blake sMiss Doris has-has
run off with my nephew, Paul, to be mar
ried." ~
Begin your pardon, but she amt"
| coolly returned Bob, who, was nothing if
not blunt spoken. "Mr. Paul's been an
Hoped with Judge Haynes daughter, which
isn't only eighteen years old, and the Judge
is jest wild about it; every body's talkin' Of
it downtown.
Dr.. Blake fell into the nearest chair
and sat staring speechlessly at Bob, who,
with great inward gusto, went on:
Seems he told Miss Doris all about it,
and she tried to get him off the notion, but
twasn't no use. So hen Miss Haynes has
gone off to Boston to get married, and Miss
Doris she's took the train to Portland, where
she's had offer for to teach music and
drawin' in the Presbyterian Institute.
"How do you know all this. Bob?n
| hoarse!y demanded Doctor Blake. feeling
as though every thing was slipping from
| under his feet
Didn't Miss Doris tell me last night
| when she got me to hang your picter
| in your bedroom on the sly, and she crying
like her heart was a-breaking?" boldly re-
| turned Bob; "and didn't she say she hadn't
no home here any longer, now that you
was goin' to marry Mrs Mack? But I've
| writ a note that'n explain it ALL she says,
and Doctor Blake'll find it under his plate
in the morning"
| doctor Blake did not wait for further
explanations. Ten minutes later he had
left the house, caught the 9:15 express for
Portland, and reached there by i a N.
Dressed in her best, Mrs Mack sat in tn,
parlor New Years night impatiently await
ing DR.. Blakes coming. She knew that he
had been invited to dine out and his pro-
longed absence did not surprise her So
absorbed was Mrs Mack in pleasant day
dream that she did not notice the arrival
and departure of hack which had depos-
| tied a gentleman and lady at the door. That
| the gentleman was DR.. Blake was evident
| by the fact that he let himself and his com
panion in with night key. Who the lady
might be is probably apparent to the dullest
comprehension
/
| widow, blissfully unconscious of i'm
pending ruin, turned her head languidly as
| the door opened.
''Dr. Blake-and Miss Doris"
This was the startled exclamation which
fell from the widows lips as she sprang to
her feet
| Not Miss Doris, but Mrs Blake said the
doctor, with freezing politeness I'VE were
married in Portland this afternoon. And"-
before Mrs Mack could scream let me ad
that as you see have made my choice as
to which of you two should remain under
my roof, I shall have to request you to take
your departure at the earliest opportunity
perhaps you can guess why"
Mrs Mack gasped, but nothing came Of it
Though speeches. with baffled rage and
| shame she hurried out OF the room banging
the door behind her till every pane of glass
/ ratified
But an earthquake would not have dis
turbed the happiness of the newly married
couple who sat side by side in front of the
cheerful blaze.
IF We're not quite so young" said Doris,
little regre fully, in pause of the CONVEX
sation after the mutual explanations had all
been gone over again.
IF I were not quite so old" said the
Doctor, with quiet smile.
"Old," was the indignant response. "Does
the picture painted ofyou look old?"
why, no." said DR.. Blake, laughing; aon
the contrary, it flatters my years grossly.
But that is the way you look to me,
whispered Doris And that is all
FRANK r. CoNvERsR